Juneteenth Free
A Juneteenth inspired conversation between a Black slave and a free Black man
Hello Mr. Freeman.
Hello my ancestor.
Is there a future of chance when we thrive?
Yes, June 19, 1865, a beautiful day to be alive. That’s why I’m writing you a letter.
Please tell me there will be a day in the future when our people will stand better.
That’s a definite yes, but it will be a great war with no rest.
Fair enough. We’ve already been put to the test. We’re well prepared for the stress.
The Underground Railroad led us to a beautiful track…
But it’s still a struggle to be Black?
Yes. In the future we’re still tryna escape the chains.
That means your minds need to break the chains.
Yes, this mental captivity is leading us to early graves.
Sounds like you’re still as captive as the early slaves.
We need your wisdom on how to defeat it
Unlearn the bondage the slavers taught you. That’s how you’re gonna beat it.
I wanna say one day we will be alright.
The future is in sight. I know it’s a continuous fight.
And it seems like it’s never gonna end
Maybe not, but believe in yourself and you will win.
Thank you ancestor. You ran so I could walk.
Remember me when you tell stories of history when you talk.
Even in darkness the future is a beautiful place to be.
It’s even more beautiful to me knowing that one day we will be free.
About the Creator
Joe Patterson
Hi I'm Joe Patterson. I am a writer at heart who is a big geek for film, music, and literature, which have all inspired me to be a writer. I rap, write stories both short and long, and I'm also aspiring to be an author and a filmmaker.
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Comments (3)
This is a beautiful and sad poem.
A very fitting conversation for dialogue! What affected me deeply is knowing the emotions that would come to the face of our Ancestors when finding out we're STILL not free. At time it's frustrating. Disillusioning. But our DNA is descendent from the strongest of the strong, so giving up...just not in our nature. Great writing!
First, thank you for honoring Juneteenth. This dialogue poem is already a Top Story (although Vocal seems to have forgotten), so I'll congratulate you now. 🥳 I'm deeply moved by the conversation, Joe. You've written a dialogue poem that conveys the depths of strife, pain, struggle, and indelible hope. Brilliant use of the form. I was touched by all of it, but this line in particular brings me to tears: "It’s a continuous fight." Thank you for lifting the ancestor's and the modern person's voices. Here's to the that long-awaited day when denial of dignity is so far in the societal rear view mirror that such a convo will seem beyond imagining, just an oral tradition of some long ago unimaginable nightmare. Even then, we will continue to honor all who paved the way with their lives, their strength, their beauty, their humanity, and their perseverance. NEVER FORGOTTEN 🫶🏻 💔 ❤️🩹 🫶🏻